Featured Insights

In our world today, consumers live an increasingly “hyper-connected, hyper-life” - they are more stretched than ever before and are striving to repurpose their time and effort, searching for simpler, easier, more pleasant and purposeful ways of living… including shopping.

The seventh Nielsen Africa Prospects report highlights shifting country priorities and sources of potential, with multi-dimensional, comparative indicators. The report also includes a special feature on business priorities across Sub-Saharan Africa for the upcoming year.

At a macro level, economic conditions around the globe ended 2018 on an upbeat note. Global consumer confidence was at its highest level in 14 years, but 39 of the 64 countries included in the global Consumer Confidence Index reported declines in consumer sentiment.

Fast-moving consumer goods and GDP growth in Q4 2018 was strongest in Asia-Pacific, and consumers in the region feel the best globally about their financial well-being. Comparatively, only 37% of consumers in Europe believe their conditions have improved over the past five years.

In a new gender-focused study, we looked at consumer confidence, economic sentiment and spending intentions by gender over the past five years to understand how the needs and wants of female consumers have evolved.

South Africa’s latest Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for the fourth quarter of 2018 shows a two point decrease to 88, presenting a relatively stable (though still negative), quarter on quarter picture for consumer sentiment in South Africa.

Nielsen Consumer Confidence Index for West Africa shows mixed sentiments in the fourth quarter of 2018. Ghana’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) shows a five point decrease to 108, while Nigeria’s CCI has dropped one point to 117.

Globally, 58%of global consumers feel they are better off financially than they were five years ago, with around half of consumers (52%) in Africa and the Middle East regions feeling positive toward their current situation. However, a sizeable proportion of consumers feel that they are in survival mode, with sentiment differing considerably by region and country.

Generally speaking, global conditions for the FMCG industry remained positive in second-quarter 2018. Some regions showed significant growth promise, while others showed a slight pullback from gains earlier in the year. With many markets experiencing notable increases in GDP growth, conditions were favorable for manufacturers and retailers.

A slight drop in consumer sentiment in the second quarter was reflected in a slight pullback in spending in certain markets, as skepticism about the future had some consumers feeling as though their free cash would be better served in savings rather than on discretionary purchases.

From a global perspective, prospects for the remainder of the year appear largely positive. In Q1, confidence grew across Western Europe, the economic recovery in Latin America looks promising in a number of markets, dollar sales of FMCG in North America performed well, and growing disposable incomes across Asia-Pacific are having an effect well beyond the immediate region.

From a global perspective, conditions and prospects for the remainder of the year appear largely positive. In Q1, confidence grew across Western Europe, economic recovery in Latin America looks promising in key markets, FMCG sales in North America performed well, and growing disposable incomes across Asia-Pacific are having an effect beyond the immediate region.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s prospects improved in 2017 as global financial conditions were more favourable, commodity prices rallied and inflation slowed helping revitalize demand. While conditions will remain tough, balancing the now and the next will lead to bigger gains. The 6th Nielsen AFRICA PROSPECTS REPORT highlights shifting country priorities and sources of growth, with multi-dimensional, comparative, integrated indicators.

Backed by improving global consumer confidence, many regions are seeing improved conditions for businesses and the fast-moving consumer goods industry. Here, we’ll look at trends in a few select countries.

2016 was a year of upheaval and change the world over, with equivalent sways experienced across Sub-Saharan Africa. In the 4th edition of Nielsen Africa Prospects ranking, we look at how the countries have performed across various parameters.

Global consumer confidence increased modestly in 2016, a time of great political and economic change around the world, rising three points between the first and fourth quarters to 101. Confidence scores finished the year more strongly than they began in every region except Africa/Middle East.

While the third quarter of 2016 saw considerable economic diversity across the markets measured by Nielsen’s Global Survey, consumer confidence in the U.S. remained on solid footing with a score of 106, despite a decline of seven points from the second quarter.

Third-quarter 2016 global consumer confidence remained stable at 99, up one point from the second quarter and unchanged from third-quarter 2015. Country-level scores, however, varied dramatically throughout the regions, reflecting considerable economic diversity around the world.

Third-quarter global consumer confidence increased one point from the second quarter to 99. Country-level scores, however, varied dramatically throughout the regions, reflecting considerable economic diversity around the world.

Ongoing turmoil and volatility in many of Africa's markets are reflected in the ranking indicators of Nielsen's third Africa Prospects report, with six of the nine countries shifting in position over the past six months.

Global consumer confidence held steady in the second quarter of 2016 at 98, an index score that was flat from the first quarter and two points higher than a year earlier. North America was the only region to sustain growth momentum in the second quarter, demonstrating a three-point increase in confidence to 111.

Global consumer confidence remained stable in the first quarter and below the optimism baseline score of 100, edging up one index point to 98. The score reflected mixed confidence levels reported in every region.

Though global consumer confidence remained stable in the first quarter, there was notable variation on a country-by-country basis, and many markets noted a growing recessionary sentiment. In fact, six in 10 global respondents believed their nation’s economy was in recession in the first quarter.

Global consumer confidence remained stable in the first quarter and below the optimism baseline score of 100, edging up one index point to 98. The score reflected mixed confidence levels reported in every region.

What keeps you up at night? There’s probably more than just one thing: From anxieties about rising utility bills to worries about our personal health, to concerns about the well-being of our family, there’s a lot to think about.

Global consumer confidence ended 2015 on a subdued note as the index declined two points from the third quarter to 97. Compared to first-quarter 2015, confidence in the fourth quarter remained flat in Asia-Pacific at 107, while Europe edged up four points to 81. All other regions ended the year less confident than they started.

Global consumer confidence ended 2015 on a subdued note as the index declined two points from the third quarter to 97—the same score as the start of the year. Europe was the only region to show consistent confidence improvements throughout the year across all three indicators (job prospects, personal finances and intentions to buy).

Morocco marked its first introduction to the Nielsen’s consumer confidence survey in the third quarter with an index score of 85. This quarter’s addition of Morocco brings the total number of countries surveyed to 61, globally.

Third-quarter consumer confidence declined in eight of 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific region for an overall score of 106, a regional decline of one index point from the previous quarter. Australia and South Korea each showed the biggest quarterly confidence increases in the region, while confidence declined in Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Japan.

U.S. consumer confidence jumped 18 index points in the third quarter of 2015 to a score of 119 after a six-point decline in the previous quarter. The score marked the biggest quarterly increase and the highest index for the country in Nielsen’s 10-year consumer confidence history.

Our perception about personal finances is one factor that contributes to our confidence in the economy, which can impact our willingness to spend and save. Mirroring the rise in global consumer confidence in the third quarter, immediate spending intentions also increased, rising to 43%, up from a low of 30% in 2008 during the Great Recession.

Global consumer confidence increased three index points in the third quarter to 99. Optimistic sentiment for job prospects, personal finances and spending intentions increased in nearly half of all measured markets, but uneven growth continues around the world as confidence stabilizes or grows in many advanced economies and declines in many emerging markets.

Global consumer confidence increased three index points in the third quarter to 99, the highest level since 2006, and optimistic sentiment for job prospects, personal finances and spending intentions increased in nearly half of all measured markets.

Consumer confidence in the second quarter of 2015 increased eight index points in Kenya to 112 and three points in Nigeria to 132—the highest score of the three countries measured in Nielsen’s mobile consumer confidence survey in sub-Saharan Africa.

Consumer confidence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had the highest index of five countries measured by Nielsen in Middle East/Africa region (108), but the country's confidence decreased seven points from the first quarter—the biggest quarterly decline in six years.

The way we view the economy and what’s in our wallets can have a direct impact on our willingness to spend and save. As such, it’s no surprise that changes in consumer confidence can influence the actions consumers say they take to save on household expenses. And as global consumer confidence declined in Q2, saving strategies continued to permeate the mindset of consumers around the world.

Global consumer confidence declined one index point in the second quarter to a score of 96. Regionally, confidence continued to rise in Europe, increasing two points to 79. Confidence held steady in Asia-Pacific, but fell in the three remaining regions.

Global consumer confidence declined one index point in the second quarter to a score of 96. This near-baseline score reflects an overall stable outlook, but uneven performance at the country level increased within regions.

The Middle East/Africa region registered a one-point increase in Nielsen’s latest first-quarter global consumer confidence results with an index score of 96. Three of five countries measured in the region also showed confidence increases.

Consumer confidence in Asia-Pacific increased in nine of 14 markets measured by Nielsen in Q1, compared to only three that rose in Q4 2014. Nine markets in the region remained at or above the 100-baseline level of optimism. At 130, India reached its highest level since 2011—up one-point from Q4. Confidence in India has been on the rise for six consecutive quarters.

In Q1, Millennial respondents were more eager to spend—especially those in the 25-29 age range. In fact, their spending intent for holidays/vacations, new clothes and out-of-home entertainment exceeded the global averages by as much 10 percentage points.

Global consumer confidence started 2015 with an index score of 97—an increase of one point from fourth-quarter 2014 and from a year-ago. Compared to the end of last year, when all regional confidence scores declined, the first quarter was more upbeat, as confidence increased slightly or remained stable in every region except Latin America.

Starting the year positively, global consumer confidence saw an increase of one point from fourth-quarter 2014, with an index score of 97. After a slight dip at the end of last year, when all regional confidence scores declined, it was a more upbeat start to the year, as confidence increased slightly or remained stable in every region except Latin America.

While global sentiment about personal finances and the costs of living has been trending up for about two years now, men and women aren’t exactly on the same page when it comes to what’s in their pockets. Generally speaking, women see a bright side, but men are seeing an even brighter side.

Consumer Confidence in the Middle East/Africa region dipped one-index point in the fourth quarter, ending 2014 with a score of 95. The score marked a five-point increase from the fourth quarter of 2013. Among the five countries measured in the region, three saw quarterly consumer confidence increases and two saw declines.

Global consumer confidence ended 2014 with an index score of 96—a decline of two index points from the previous quarter, which comes after several quarters of positive momentum. The index, which has been on a slow and steady rise for about two years, is still above a pre-recession level of 94 from third-quarter 2007.

Global consumer confidence edged up one index point in the third quarter to a score of 98—up from 97 in the previous quarter and up two points from the start of the year. The index, which has been on a slow and steady rise since Q1 2012, has now exceeded a pre-recession level of 94 for three consecutive quarters.

In second-quarter 2014, consumer confidence remained high in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana—new entrants in Nielsen’s Global Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions Survey that made their debut in the first quarter of this year.

Around the globe, more consumers say they’re feeling confident. In the first quarter of 2014, global consumer confidence returned to a pre-recession level with an index score of 96—the highest score since first-quarter 2007.

Consumer confidence in the Middle East/Africa region declined two index points in the fourth quarter of 2013, reporting a score of 90. Three-fourths of regional respondents believed they were in recession in the fourth quarter, a figure that topped the level reported in any other region. The pessimistic sentiment was up 1 percentage point from Q3 and 2 points from the same time period the previous year.

At 3,212 feet tall with a plunge of 2,648 feet, Angel Falls in Venezuela isn’t the only part of Latin America with drastic peaks and valleys. Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence shows that consumer confidence sentiment also varied widely in the region.

Around the world, Asia-Pacific was the only region where consumer confidence increased quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter of 2013, rising one index point to 105, according to Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence.

While the economy stabilizes in Europe, consumers have remained wary. Confidence fell in 18 of the region’s 32 markets measured in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence. Nonetheless, the worst may very well be over.

Canadian consumer confidence increased three index points in the fourth quarter of 2013, reaching the baseline score of 100. The quarterly uptick equalized two previous quarters of declines, bringing the figure in line with the sentiment of 12 months ago. Improved job prospects, personal finances and spending intentions were strong drivers of the hike in consumer confidence for Canadians.

Around the world, shoppers reigned in their discretionary spending at the end of 2013. According to Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence, consumers said they spent less across all categories measured in Q4 2013, compared to Q3.

Global consumer confidence held steady with an index of 94 at the end of 2013, rounding out three consecutive quarters at that confidence level. Discretionary spending declined in all regions, many regions still feel mired in recession, and Asia-Pacific posted the only regional consumer confidence increase in Q4.

Global consumer confidence held steady in Q4 2013 with an index of 94, marking the third straight quarter where confidence was at that level. Global confidence was one point higher at year end than it was at the beginning of the year and three points higher than in Q4 2012.

Global consumer confidence measured an index level of 94 in Q3 2013, flat from Q2, but sentiment brightened notably in the U.S. and Europe. In the latest round of the survey, consumer confidence increased in 57% of the markets Nielsen measures, up from 45% in the previous quarter.

Global consumer confidence increased one point to an index of 94 in the second quarter, according to consumer confidence findings from Nielsen. The increase is part of a slow, but steady upward movement in consumer sentiment reported in the first half of the year.